Merkt calls on Christie to investigate grant program

They may face each other in a gubernatorial primary election next year, but for now Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R-Mendham) wants U.S. Attorney Chris Christie activated for a common purpose.

Tired of lobbying state channels and getting no results, Merkt today called on Christie to investigate a grant program that appears to have been "nothing more than a political pork slush fund for certain Democratic legislators," in Merkt’s words.

"We need to know what legislators, in addition to (former state Sen. Wayne Bryant D-Camden) had control of these funds, where they directed those funds, and whether they benefitted from the recipients," said Merkt, who’s probing a run for governor next year. "The U.S. Attorney now needs to look into the entire scope of this program to see whether there is wrongdoing that extends beyond Mr. Bryant’s actions."  

Last week’s testimony by Democratic budget officer George LeBlanc about legislators dipping into a $40 million state fund dedicated to property tax relief, erased any notion that the legislators’ respective programs were merit-based, Merkt said.

Over the last two years, Merkt said he filed several requests seeking details regarding the distribution of money through the state grant program. 

On September 27, 2006, the veteran assemblyman said he sent a letter to then-Treasurer Bradley Abelow formally requesting documents showing how public funds were spent in 2005 and 2006 under the "Property Tax Assistance and Community Development Program."

Merkt said he sent several follow-up letters expressing concern over what he said was treasury’s failure to comply with his request.

"I would also like to know why officials at Treasury wouldn’t reveal what was going on with this program and why Senate President (Richard) Codey (D-Essex) stonewalled demands for an explanation and accounting of these grants," Merkt said. "Given that a succession of New Jersey state attorneys general have allowed this to continue without interceding or investigating, I think the U.S. Attorney is the most appropriate law enforcement official to investigate this matter."

In addition to Merkt and establishment favorite Christie, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan is examining a challenge of Gov. Jon Corzine in 2009.